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Wei YJJ, Winterstein AG, Schmidt S, Fillingim RB, Schmidt S, Daniels MJ, DeKosky ST. Short- and long-term safety of discontinuing chronic opioid therapy among older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Age Ageing 2024; 53:afae047. [PMID: 38497237 PMCID: PMC10945292 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited evidence exists on the short- and long-term safety of discontinuing versus continuing chronic opioid therapy (COT) among patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). METHODS This cohort study was conducted among 162,677 older residents with ADRD and receipt of COT using a 100% Medicare nursing home sample. Discontinuation of COT was defined as no opioid refills for ≥90 days. Primary outcomes were rates of pain-related hospitalisation, pain-related emergency department visit, injury, opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose (OD) measured by diagnosis codes at quarterly intervals during 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Poisson regression models were fit using generalised estimating equations with inverse probability of treatment weights to model quarterly outcome rates between residents who discontinued versus continued COT. RESULTS The study sample consisted of 218,040 resident episodes with COT; of these episodes, 180,916 residents (83%) continued COT, whereas 37,124 residents (17%) subsequently discontinued COT. Discontinuing (vs. continuing) COT was associated with higher rates of all outcomes in the first quarter, but these associations attenuated over time. The adjusted rates of injury, OUD and OD were 0, 69 and 60% lower at the 1-year follow-up and 11, 81 and 79% lower at the 2-year follow-up, respectively, for residents who discontinued versus continued COT, with no difference in the adjusted rates of pain-related hospitalisations or emergency department visits. CONCLUSIONS The rates of adverse outcomes were higher in the first quarter but lower or non-differential at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups between COT discontinuers versus continuers among older residents with ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jung Jenny Wei
- Division of Outcomes and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Almut G Winterstein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Siegfried Schmidt
- Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Roger B Fillingim
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Michael J Daniels
- Department of Statistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL, 32610, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Li Y, Barr KD, Trafton JA, Oliva EM, Garrido MM, Frakt AB, Strombotne KL. Impact of Mandated Case Review Policy on Opioid Discontinuation and Mortality Among High-Risk Long-Term Opioid Therapy Patients: The STORM Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Subst Abus 2023; 44:292-300. [PMID: 37830514 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231198299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) has its own risks, opioid discontinuation could pose harm for high-risk Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients receiving LTOT. There is limited information on the impact of a mandate requiring providers to perform case reviews on high-risk patients with an active opioid prescription (ie, mandated case review policy) on opioid discontinuation and mortality. METHODS Our study is a secondary data analysis of a 23-month stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial between April 2018 and March 2020. The study included 10 685 LTOT patients with a predicted risk of a serious adverse event between the top 1% to 5% nationally who entered the risk range between 4/18/2018 and 11/9/2019. We examined whether the mandated case review policy had an impact on opioid discontinuation and mortality for the patients. RESULTS Among 10 685 LTOT patients (88.2% male; mean [SD] age, 61.1 [11.7] years), 29.1% experienced discontinuation and the mortality rate was 9.5%. Patients under mandated case review had a decreased risk of opioid discontinuation (average marginal effect [AME], -11.16 [95% CI, -15.30 to -7.01] percentage points) and all-cause mortality (AME, -3.31 [95% CI, -5.63 to -1.00] percentage points), relative to patients who were not under the mandate. CONCLUSIONS The VHA mandated case review policy was associated with lower probability of discontinuation and all-cause mortality for high-risk patients receiving LTOT. Interventions that maintain care engagement while optimizing pain management for high-risk patients may be beneficial for minimizing mortality and other risks associated with discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Li
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyle D Barr
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jodie A Trafton
- Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Veterans Health Administration, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Oliva
- Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Veterans Health Administration, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Melissa M Garrido
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Austin B Frakt
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kiersten L Strombotne
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
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Striebel J, Ruppen W, Schneider T. Simultaneous application of lidocaine and ketamine during ambulatory infusion therapy: a retrospective analysis. Pain Manag 2023; 13:539-553. [PMID: 37850330 DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2023-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Infusions with lidocaine or ketamine have been separately established in the treatment of chronic pain. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the effect of combined infusions of lidocaine and ketamine. Materials & methods: Patient records were screened for receipt of combined ambulatory infusions of lidocaine and ketamine from 2012 through 2021. A scoring system was designed to assess pain response retrospectively. Results: A total of 319 patients were included. Median pain reduction in days was 10.00 (interquartile range: 13.25). Side effects were limited to the acute phase of infusions. A total of 41.4% of patients who received concomitant pain medication reported a dose reduction. Conclusion: Our data support combined infusions as a safe therapy option, with good short-, medium- and long-term reductions in pain and great heterogeneity in treatment response. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05103319).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Striebel
- Clinic for Anesthesia, Intermediate Care, Prehospital Emergency Medicine & Pain Therapy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, 4031, Switzerland
| | - Wilhelm Ruppen
- Clinic for Anesthesia, Intermediate Care, Prehospital Emergency Medicine & Pain Therapy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, 4031, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Schneider
- Clinic for Anesthesia, Intermediate Care, Prehospital Emergency Medicine & Pain Therapy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, 4031, Switzerland
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Black AC, Zeliadt SB, Kerns RD, Skanderson M, Wang R, Gelman H, Douglas JH, Becker WC. Association Between Exposure to Complementary and Integrative Therapies and Opioid Analgesic Daily Dose Among Patients on Long-term Opioid Therapy. Clin J Pain 2022; 38:405-409. [PMID: 35440528 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the association between exposure to selected complementary and integrative health (CIH) modalities and the trajectory of prescribed opioid analgesic dose within a national cohort of patients receiving long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Using national data from VHA electronic health records between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2019, CIH use was analyzed among 57,437 patients receiving LTOT within 18 VHA facilities serving as evaluation sites of VHA's Whole Health System of Care. Using linear mixed effects modeling controlling for covariates, opioid dose was modeled as a function of time, CIH exposure, and their interaction. RESULTS Overall, 11.91% of patients on LTOT used any of the focus CIH therapies; 43.25% of those had 4 or more encounters. Patients used acupuncture, chiropractic care, and meditation modalities primarily. CIH use was associated with being female, Black, having a mental health diagnosis, obesity, pain intensity, and baseline morphine-equivalent daily dose. Mean baseline morphine-equivalent daily dose was 40.81 milligrams and dose decreased on average over time. Controlling for covariates, patients with any CIH exposure experienced 38% faster dose tapering, corresponding to a mean difference in 12-month reduction over patients not engaging in CIH of 2.88 milligrams or 7.06% of the mean starting dose. DISCUSSION Results support the role of CIH modalities in opioid tapering. The study design precludes inference about the causal effects of CIH on tapering. Analyses did not consider the trend in opioid dose before cohort entry nor the use of other nonopioid treatments for pain. Future research should address these questions and consider tapering-associated adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Black
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Steven B Zeliadt
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Puget Sound
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA
| | - Robert D Kerns
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Melissa Skanderson
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Jamie H Douglas
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Puget Sound
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA
| | - William C Becker
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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5
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Li C, Brown J, Hudson T, Martin BC. Association between discontinuing chronic opioid therapy and newly diagnosed substance use disorders, accidents, self-inflicted injuries and drug overdoses within the prescribers' health care system: a retrospective cohort study. Addiction 2022; 117:946-968. [PMID: 34514677 PMCID: PMC8904270 DOI: 10.1111/add.15689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Prescribers are commonly confronted with discontinuing opioid therapy among patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy (COT). This study aimed to measure the association between discontinuing COT and diagnoses of substance use disorders (SUDs) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (AOs). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING United States Veterans Healthcare Administration. PARTICIPANTS Veterans with chronic pain on COT who discontinued opioid therapy were compared with those continuing COT using data from fiscal years 2009 to 2015. MEASUREMENTS Newly diagnosed substance use disorders (SUD composite; individual types: opioid, non-opioid drug and alcohol use disorders) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (AO composite; individual types: accidents resulting in wounds/injuries, opioid-related accidents/overdoses, alcohol and non-opioid medication-related accidents/overdoses, self-inflicted injuries and violence-related injuries) were evaluated. Primary analyses were conducted using 1:1 matching of discontinuers with those continuing COT based on propensity score and index date (±180-day window). Sensitivity analyses were conducted using logistic regressions with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and instrumental variable (IV) models. FINDINGS A total of 15 695 (75.4%) and 17 337 (76.6%) discontinuers were matched with those continuing COT among the cohorts testing SUD and AO development respectively. In the primary propensity score matched analyses, the composite SUD outcome was not different between discontinuers and those continuing COT (OR = 0.932, 95% CI = 0.850, 1.022). The composite AO outcome was lower among discontinuers (OR = 0.660, 95% CI = 0.623, 0.699) compared with those continuing COT. SIPTW analyses found lower SUD (OR = 0.789, 95% CI = 0.743, 0.837), and AO (OR = 0.660, 95% CI = 0.623, 0.699) rates among discontinuers. IV models found mixed and sometimes contradictory results. CONCLUSIONS Discontinuing patients from chronic opioid therapy appears to be associated with decreased diagnoses for opioid-related adverse outcomes. The association with substance use disorders appears to be inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J. Hayes
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
| | - Erin E. Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - Joshua Brown
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Division of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
| | - Bradley C. Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Corresponding Author: , Phone: (501) 603-1992
- Fax: (501) 686-5156
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Quinn PD, Chang Z, Bair MJ, Rickert ME, Gibbons RD, Kroenke K, D’Onofrio BM. Associations of opioid prescription dose and discontinuation with risk of substance-related morbidity in long-term opioid therapy. Pain 2022; 163:e588-e595. [PMID: 34326295 PMCID: PMC8795234 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Efforts to reduce opioid-related harms have decreased opioid prescription but have provoked concerns about unintended consequences, particularly for long-term opioid therapy (LtOT) recipients. Research is needed to address the knowledge gap regarding how risk of substance-related morbidity changes across LtOT and its discontinuation. This study used nationwide commercial insurance claims data and a within-individual design to examine associations of LtOT dose and discontinuation with substance-related morbidity. We identified 194,839 adolescents and adults who initiated opioid prescription in 2010 to 2018 and subsequently received LtOT. The cohort was followed for a median of 965 days (interquartile range, 525-1550), of which a median of 176 days (119-332) were covered by opioid prescription. During follow-up, there were 17,582 acute substance-related morbidity events, defined as claims for emergency visits, inpatient hospitalizations, and ambulance transportation with substance use disorder or overdose diagnoses. Relative to initial treatment, risk was greater within individual during subsequent periods of >60 to 120 (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.49) and >120 (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.24-1.76) daily morphine milligram equivalents. Risk was also greater during days 1 to 30 after discontinuations than during initial treatment (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35). However, it was no greater than during the 30 days before discontinuations, indicating that the risk may not be wholly attributable to discontinuation itself. Results were supported by a negative control pharmacotherapy analysis and additional sensitivity analyses. They suggest that LtOT recipients may experience increased substance-related morbidity risk during treatment subsequent to initial opioid prescription, particularly in periods involving higher doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D. Quinn
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Zheng Chang
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew J. Bair
- VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Martin E. Rickert
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Robert D. Gibbons
- Center for Health Statistics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kurt Kroenke
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Brian M. D’Onofrio
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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7
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Hayes CJ, Krebs EE, Brown J, Li C, Hudson T, Martin BC. Impact of transitioning from long-term to intermittent opioid therapy on the development of opioid-related adverse outcomes: A retrospective cohort study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 231:109236. [PMID: 34974270 PMCID: PMC10041683 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing pressures exist to reduce or discontinue opioid use among patients currently on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). It is essential to understand the potential effects of opioid reduction. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted among veterans with chronic pain and on LTOT. Using 1:1 propensity score-matched samples of veterans switching to intermittent opioid therapy and those continuing LTOT, we examined the development of subsequent substance use disorders (SUD composite; individual SUD types: opioid, non-opioid drug, and alcohol use disorders) and opioid-related adverse outcomes (ORAO composite; individual ORAO types: accidents resulting in wounds/injuries, opioid-related and alcohol/non-opioid medication-related accidents and overdoses, self-inflicted and violence-related injuries). Sensitivity analyses were conducted using logistic regression with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and instrumental variable (IV) models. RESULTS A total of 29,293 veterans switching to intermittent therapy were matched to veterans continuing LTOT. With matched samples, no differences were found in composite SUDs and ORAOs between the groups. With SIPTW, veterans switching to intermittent opioid therapy had higher odds of composite SUDs and ORAOs (SUDs aOR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.07,1.17; ORAOs aOR=1.05, 95%CI:1.00,1.09). IV models found lower risks for composite SUDs and ORAOs among veterans switching to intermittent opioid therapy (SUDs: β = -0.38, 95%CI:-0.63,-0.13; ORAOs: β = -0.27, 95%CI:-0.50,-0.04). CONCLUSIONS There were no consistent associations between transitioning patients from LTOT to intermittent opioid therapy and the risk of SUDs and ORAOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Hayes
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 782, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Bldg. 58, North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA.
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 401 East River Parkway, VCRC 1st Floor, Suite 131, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
| | - Joshua Brown
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1225 Center Drive, HPNP #3334, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Chenghui Li
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 522, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Teresa Hudson
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 782, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Bldg. 58, North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA.
| | - Bradley C Martin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Slot 522, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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Aebischer JH, Dieckmann NF, Jones KD, St John AW. Chronic Pain Clinical and Prescriptive Practices in the Cannabis Era. Pain Manag Nurs 2021; 23:109-121. [PMID: 34973920 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore how health care providers in the United States are adapting clinical recommendations and prescriptive practices in response to patient use of medical cannabis (MC) for chronic pain symptoms. DESIGN Literature searches queried MeSH/Subject terms "chronic pain," "clinician," "cannabis," and Boolean text words "practice" and "analgesics" in EBSCOHost, EMBASE, PubMed, and Scopus, published 2010-2021 in the United States. Twenty-one primary, peer-reviewed studies met criteria. METHODS Studies are synthesized under major headings: recommending MC for chronic pain; MC and prescription opioids; and harm reduction of MC. RESULTS MC is increasingly utilized by patients for chronic pain symptoms. Clinical recommendations for or against MC are influenced by scopes of practice, state or federal laws, institutional policies, education, potential patient harm (or indirect harm of others), and perceived confidence. Epidemiologic and cohort studies show downward trajectories of opioid prescribing and consumption in states with legal cannabis. However, clinicians' recommendations and prescription practices are nonuniform. Impacts of cannabis laws are clear between nongovernmental and governmental institutions. Strategies addressing MC and opioid use include frequent visits, and, to reduce harm, suggesting alternative therapies and treating substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS MC use for chronic pain is increasing with cannabis legalization. Provider practices are heterogenous, demonstrating a balance of treating chronic pain using available evidence, while being aware of potential harms associated with MC and opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan F Dieckmann
- Oregon Health & Science University, School of Nursing, Portland, OR; Oregon Health & Science University & Portland State University, School of Public Health, Core Faculty, Portland, OR; Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Division of Psychology & Psychiatry, Portland, OR
| | - Kim D Jones
- Linfield University, School of Nursing, Portland, OR
| | - Amanda W St John
- Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Portland, OR
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Agnoli A, Xing G, Tancredi DJ, Magnan E, Jerant A, Fenton JJ. Association of Dose Tapering With Overdose or Mental Health Crisis Among Patients Prescribed Long-term Opioids. JAMA 2021; 326:411-419. [PMID: 34342618 PMCID: PMC8335575 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.11013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Importance Opioid-related mortality and national prescribing guidelines have led to tapering of doses among patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain. There is limited information about risks related to tapering, including overdose and mental health crisis. Objective To assess whether there are associations between opioid dose tapering and rates of overdose and mental health crisis among patients prescribed stable, long-term, higher-dose opioids. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study using deidentified medical and pharmacy claims and enrollment data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse from 2008 to 2019. Adults in the US prescribed stable higher doses (mean ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents/d) of opioids for a 12-month baseline period with at least 2 months of follow-up were eligible for inclusion. Exposures Opioid tapering, defined as at least 15% relative reduction in mean daily dose during any of 6 overlapping 60-day windows within a 7-month follow-up period. Maximum monthly dose reduction velocity was computed during the same period. Main Outcomes and Measures Emergency or hospital encounters for (1) drug overdose or withdrawal and (2) mental health crisis (depression, anxiety, suicide attempt) during up to 12 months of follow-up. Discrete time negative binomial regression models estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) of outcomes as a function of tapering (vs no tapering) and dose reduction velocity. Results The final cohort included 113 618 patients after 203 920 stable baseline periods. Among the patients who underwent dose tapering, 54.3% were women (vs 53.2% among those who did not undergo dose tapering), the mean age was 57.7 years (vs 58.3 years), and 38.8% were commercially insured (vs 41.9%). Posttapering patient periods were associated with an adjusted incidence rate of 9.3 overdose events per 100 person-years compared with 5.5 events per 100 person-years in nontapered periods (adjusted incidence rate difference, 3.8 per 100 person-years [95% CI, 3.0-4.6]; aIRR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.53-1.85]). Tapering was associated with an adjusted incidence rate of 7.6 mental health crisis events per 100 person-years compared with 3.3 events per 100 person-years among nontapered periods (adjusted incidence rate difference, 4.3 per 100 person-years [95% CI, 3.2-5.3]; aIRR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.96-2.65]). Increasing maximum monthly dose reduction velocity by 10% was associated with an aIRR of 1.09 for overdose (95% CI, 1.07-1.11) and of 1.18 for mental health crisis (95% CI, 1.14-1.21). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients prescribed stable, long-term, higher-dose opioid therapy, tapering events were significantly associated with increased risk of overdose and mental health crisis. Although these findings raise questions about potential harms of tapering, interpretation is limited by the observational study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Agnoli
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Guibo Xing
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Daniel J. Tancredi
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Elizabeth Magnan
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Anthony Jerant
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Joshua J. Fenton
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
- OptumLabs Visiting Fellow, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
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10
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Buonora M, Perez HR, Stumph J, Allen R, Nahvi S, Cunningham CO, Merlin JS, Starrels JL. Medical Record Documentation About Opioid Tapering: Examining Benefit-to-Harm Framework and Patient Engagement. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 21:2574-2582. [PMID: 32142143 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Guidelines recommend that clinicians make decisions about opioid tapering for patients with chronic pain using a benefit-to-harm framework and engaging patients. Studies have not examined clinician documentation about opioid tapering using this framework. DESIGN AND SETTING Thematic and content analysis of clinician documentation about opioid tapering in patients' medical records in a large academic health system. METHODS Medical records were reviewed for patients aged 18 or older, without cancer, who were prescribed stable doses of long-term opioid therapy between 10/2015 and 10/2016 then experienced an opioid taper (dose reduction ≥30%) between 10/2016 and 10/2017. Inductive thematic analysis of clinician documentation within six months of taper initiation was conducted to understand rationale for taper, and deductive content analysis was conducted to determine the frequencies of a priori elements of a benefit-to-harm framework. RESULTS Thematic analysis of 39 patients' records revealed 1) documented rationale for tapering prominently cited potential harms of continuing opioids, rather than observed harms or lack of benefits; 2) patient engagement was variable and disagreement with tapering was prominent. Content analysis found no patients' records with explicit mention of benefit-to-harm assessments. Benefits of continuing opioids were mentioned in 56% of patients' records, observed harms were mentioned in 28%, and potential harms were mentioned in 90%. CONCLUSIONS In this study, documentation of opioid tapering focused on potential harms of continuing opioids, indicated variable patient engagement, and lacked a complete benefit-to-harm framework. Future initiatives should develop standardized ways of incorporating a benefit-to-harm framework and patient engagement into clinician decisions and documentation about opioid tapering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Buonora
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York
| | - Hector R Perez
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York
| | - Jordan Stumph
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New York-Presbyterian Columbia/Cornell, New York, New York
| | - Robert Allen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Shadi Nahvi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York
| | - Chinazo O Cunningham
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York
| | - Jessica S Merlin
- Center for Research on Healthcare, Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joanna L Starrels
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York
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11
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Minegishi T, Garrido MM, Stein M, Oliva EM, Frakt AB. Opioid Discontinuation Among Patients Receiving High-Dose Long-Term Opioid Therapy in the Veterans Health Administration. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:903-909. [PMID: 33145683 PMCID: PMC7728867 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior opioid discontinuation studies have focused on one of two characteristics of opioid prescribing, its duration (long term vs not) or dosage (high vs low). Questions remain about the experience of patients with high-dose, long-term opioid therapy (HLOT) prescriptions who are likely to be at the highest risk for adverse events. OBJECTIVE We address the following questions among the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients receiving HLOT: 1), How has the prevalence of discontinuation of opioids changed over time? 2), How do patient characteristics vary between those who do and do not discontinue? And 3), how does the prevalence of discontinuation vary geographically? DESIGN A retrospective observational study of VHA patients with HLOT between fiscal year (FY) 2014 and FY2018. PARTICIPANTS We identified 1,281,330 patients from VHA outpatient opioid prescription data with at least a 1-day opioid supply between FY2014 and FY2018. We identified and excluded those receiving palliative care or diagnosed with metastatic cancer. MAIN MEASURES For a given patient and month, a patient having a 3-month moving average of ≥ 90 daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) was defined as having HLOT. Similarly, we used a three-month average MME of zero as discontinuation. KEY RESULTS The prevalence of discontinuation among patients with HLOT increased from 6.3% in FY2014 to 7.8% in FY2018. Across the years, patients who discontinued were younger, less likely to be married, and more likely to have comorbidities related to substance use disorders compared with patients who continued to receive HLOT. Incidence of discontinuation among those with HLOT increased in more than half (64%) of the 129 VHA medical centers. CONCLUSION Prevalence of patients receiving HLOT in the VHA decreased as the incidence of discontinuation increased. Further research is needed to understand the process by which patients are discontinued and to assess the relationship between discontinuation and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeko Minegishi
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, MA, Boston, USA.
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Melissa M Garrido
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, MA, Boston, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Stein
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Oliva
- VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, VA Program Evaluation and Resource Center, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- VA Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Austin B Frakt
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, MA, Boston, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
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12
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Covington EC, Argoff CE, Ballantyne JC, Cowan P, Gazelka HM, Hooten WM, Kertesz SG, Manhapra A, Murphy JL, Stanos SP, Sullivan MD. Ensuring Patient Protections When Tapering Opioids: Consensus Panel Recommendations. Mayo Clin Proc 2020; 95:2155-2171. [PMID: 33012347 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Long-term opioid therapy has the potential for serious adverse outcomes and is often used in a vulnerable population. Because adverse effects or failure to maintain benefits is common with long-term use, opioid taper or discontinuation may be indicated in certain patients. Concerns about the adverse individual and population effects of opioids have led to numerous strategies aimed at reductions in prescribing. Although opioid reduction efforts have had generally beneficial effects, there have been unintended consequences. Abrupt reduction or discontinuation has been associated with harms that include serious withdrawal symptoms, psychological distress, self-medicating with illicit substances, uncontrolled pain, and suicide. Key questions remain about when and how to safely reduce or discontinue opioids in different patient populations. Thus, health care professionals who reduce or discontinue long-term opioid therapy require a clear understanding of the associated benefits and risks as well as guidance on the best practices for safe and effective opioid reduction. An interdisciplinary panel of pain clinicians and one patient advocate formulated recommendations on tapering methods and ongoing pain management in primary care with emphasis on patient-centered, integrated, comprehensive treatment models employing a biopsychosocial perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward C Covington
- Neurological Center for Pain (Emeritus), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
| | | | - Jane C Ballantyne
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | | | - Halena M Gazelka
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - W Michael Hooten
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Stefan G Kertesz
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
| | - Ajay Manhapra
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; New England Mental Illness Research and Education Center, West Haven, CT; Advanced Pain Clinic, Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA
| | - Jennifer L Murphy
- James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and Department of Neurology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa
| | | | - Mark D Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
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13
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Husain JM, LaRochelle M, Keosaian J, Xuan Z, Lasser KE, Liebschutz JM. Reasons for Opioid Discontinuation and Unintended Consequences Following Opioid Discontinuation Within the TOPCARE Trial. PAIN MEDICINE 2020; 20:1330-1337. [PMID: 29955866 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify reasons for opioid discontinuation and post-discontinuation outcomes among patients in the Transforming Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care (TOPCARE) study. DESIGN In TOPCARE, an intervention to improve adherence to opioid prescribing guidelines, randomized intervention primary care providers (PCPs) received nurse care manager support, an electronic registry, academic detailing, and electronic tools, and control PCPs received electronic tools only. SETTING Four Boston safety net primary care practices. SUBJECTS Patients in both TOPCARE study arms who discontinued opioid therapy during the trial. METHODS Through chart review, we examined the reason for discontinuation and post-discontinuation outcomes: one or more PCP visits, one or more pain-related emergency department (ED) visits, evidence of opioid use disorder (OUD), and referral for OUD treatment. RESULTS Opioid discontinuations occurred in 83/586 (14.2%) intervention and 42/399 (10.5%) control patients (P = 0.09). Among patients who discontinued opioids, 81 (65%) discontinued for misuse, with no difference by group (P = 0.38). Aberrancy in monitoring (e.g., discordant urine drug test results) was the most common type of misuse prompting discontinuation (occurring in (51/83 [61%] of intervention patients vs 19/42 [45%, P = 0.08] of control patients). Intervention patients who discontinued opioids had less PCP follow-up (65% vs 88%, P < 0.01) compared with control patients. We found no differences between groups for pain-related ED visits, evidence of OUD, or OUD treatment referral following discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS The decreased follow-up among TOPCARE intervention patients who discontinued opioids highlights the need to understand unintended consequences of involuntary opioid discontinuations resulting from interventions to reduce opioid risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad M Husain
- Department of Psychiatry.,Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc LaRochelle
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.,Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Julia Keosaian
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.,Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ziming Xuan
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karen E Lasser
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.,Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jane M Liebschutz
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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14
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Lagisetty P, Zhang K, Haffajee RL, Lin LA, Goldstick J, Brownlee R, Bohnert A, Larochelle MR. Opioid prescribing history prior to heroin overdose among commercially insured adults. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 212:108061. [PMID: 32428788 PMCID: PMC7768819 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2010, heroin-related overdoses have risen sharply, coinciding with policies to restrict access to prescription opioids. It is unknown if patients tapered or discontinued off prescription opioids transitioned to riskier heroin use. This study examined opioid prescribing, including long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) and discontinuation, prior to heroin overdose. METHODS We used retrospective longitudinal data from a national claims database to identify adults with an emergency or inpatient claim for heroin overdose between January 2010 and June 2017. Receipt of opioid prescription, LTOT episodes, and discontinuation of LTOT were measured for the period of one year prior to heroin overdose. RESULTS We identified 3183 individuals (53.2% age 18-25; 70.0% male) with a heroin overdose (incidence rate 4.20 per 100k person years). Nearly half (42.3%) received an opioid prescription in the prior 12 months, and 10.9% had an active opioid prescription in the week prior to overdose. LTOT at any time in the 12 months prior to overdose was uncommon (12.8%) among those with heroin overdoses, especially among individuals 18-25 years old (3.5%, P < 0.001). LTOT discontinuation prior to overdose was also relatively uncommon, experienced by 6.7% of individuals aged 46 and over and 2.5% of individuals aged 18-25 years (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Prior to heroin overdose, prescription opioid use was common, but LTOT discontinuation was uncommon and observed primarily in older individuals with the lowest heroin overdose rates. Further study is needed to determine if these prescribing patterns are associated with increased heroin overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Lagisetty
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor VA Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, MS 152, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
| | - Kun Zhang
- Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F62, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Rebecca L Haffajee
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; RAND Corporation
| | - Lewei Allison Lin
- Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor VA Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, MS 152, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason Goldstick
- Injury Prevention Center, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Suite B10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rebecca Brownlee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Amy Bohnert
- Center for Clinical Management and Research, Ann Arbor VA Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, MS 152, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marc R Larochelle
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 801 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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15
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Clinician Response to Aberrant Urine Drug Test Results of Patients Prescribed Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain. Clin J Pain 2020; 35:1-6. [PMID: 30222612 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Urine drug testing (UDT) is recommended for patients who are prescribed opioid medications, but little is known about the various strategies clinicians use to respond to aberrant UDT results. We sought to examine changes in opioid prescribing and implementation of other risk reduction activities following an aberrant UDT. METHODS In a national cohort of Veterans Affairs patients with new initiations of opioid therapy through 2013, we identified a random sample of 100 patients who had aberrant positive UDTs (results positive for nonprescribed/illicit substance), 100 who had aberrant negative UDTs (results negative for prescribed opioid), and 100 who had expected UDT results. We examined medical record data for opioid prescribing changes and risk reduction strategies in the 12 months following UDT. RESULTS Following an aberrant UDT, 17.5% of clinicians documented planning to discontinue or change the opioid dose and 52.5% initiated another strategy to reduce opioid-related risk. In multivariate analyses, variables associated with a planned change in opioid prescription status were having an aberrant positive UDT (odds ratio [OR], 30.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.92-160.10) and higher prescription opioid dose (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02). The only variable associated with implementation of other risk reduction activities was having an aberrant positive UDT (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.55). DISCUSSION The majority of clinicians enacted some type of opioid prescribing or other change to reduce risk following an aberrant UDT, and the action depended on whether the result was an aberrant positive or aberrant negative UDT. Experimental studies are needed to develop and test strategies for managing aberrant UDT results.
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16
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Oliva EM, Bowe T, Manhapra A, Kertesz S, Hah JM, Henderson P, Robinson A, Paik M, Sandbrink F, Gordon AJ, Trafton JA. Associations between stopping prescriptions for opioids, length of opioid treatment, and overdose or suicide deaths in US veterans: observational evaluation. BMJ 2020; 368:m283. [PMID: 32131996 PMCID: PMC7249243 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between stopping treatment with opioids, length of treatment, and death from overdose or suicide in the Veterans Health Administration. DESIGN Observational evaluation. SETTING Veterans Health Administration. PARTICIPANTS 1 394 102 patients in the Veterans Health Administration with an outpatient prescription for an opioid analgesic from fiscal year 2013 to the end of fiscal year 2014 (1 October 2012 to 30 September 2014). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A multivariable Cox non-proportional hazards regression model examined death from overdose or suicide, with the interaction of time varying opioid cessation by length of treatment (≤30, 31-90, 91-400, and >400 days) as the main covariates. Stopping treatment with opioids was measured as the time when a patient was estimated to have no prescription for opioids, up to the end of the next fiscal year (2014) or the patient's death. RESULTS 2887 deaths from overdose or suicide were found. The incidence of stopping opioid treatment was 57.4% (n=799 668) overall, and based on length of opioid treatment was 32.0% (≤30 days), 8.7% (31-90 days), 22.7% (91-400 days), and 36.6% (>400 days). The interaction between stopping treatment with opioids and length of treatment was significant (P<0.001); stopping treatment was associated with an increased risk of death from overdose or suicide regardless of the length of treatment, with the risk increasing the longer patients were treated. Hazard ratios for patients who stopped opioid treatment (with reference values for all other covariates) were 1.67 (≤30 days), 2.80 (31-90 days), 3.95 (91-400 days), and 6.77 (>400 days). Descriptive life table data suggested that death rates for overdose or suicide increased immediately after starting or stopping treatment with opioids, with the incidence decreasing over about three to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Patients were at greater risk of death from overdose or suicide after stopping opioid treatment, with an increase in the risk the longer patients had been treated before stopping. Descriptive data suggested that starting treatment with opioids was also a risk period. Strategies to mitigate the risk in these periods are not currently a focus of guidelines for long term use of opioids. The associations observed cannot be assumed to be causal; the context in which opioid prescriptions were started and stopped might contribute to risk and was not investigated. Safer prescribing of opioids should take a broader view on patient safety and mitigate the risk from the patient's perspective. Factors to address are those that place patients at risk for overdose or suicide after beginning and stopping opioid treatment, especially in the first three months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Oliva
- Veterans Affairs Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Building 324, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Thomas Bowe
- Veterans Affairs Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Building 324, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Ajay Manhapra
- Advanced PACT Pain Clinic, Veterans Affairs Hampton Medical Center, Hampton, VA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- New England MIRECC, West Haven, CT, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Psychiatry, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Stefan Kertesz
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jennifer M Hah
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Henderson
- Veterans Affairs Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Amy Robinson
- Pharmacy Services, Veterans Affairs Sierra Pacific Network, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Meenah Paik
- Veterans Affairs Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Friedhelm Sandbrink
- National Pain Management Program, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD; George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS), Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jodie A Trafton
- Veterans Affairs Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Building 324, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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17
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Jivraj NK, Scales DC, Gomes T, Bethell J, Hill A, Pinto R, Wijeysundera DN, Wunsch H. Evaluation of opioid discontinuation after non-orthopaedic surgery among chronic opioid users: a population-based cohort study. Br J Anaesth 2020; 124:281-291. [PMID: 32000975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many patients use opioids chronically before surgery; it is unclear if surgery alters the likelihood of ongoing opioid consumption in these patients. METHODS We performed a population-based matched cohort study of adults in Ontario, Canada undergoing one of 16 non-orthopaedic surgical procedures and who were chronically using opioids, defined as (1) an opioid prescription that overlapped the index date and (2) either a total of 120 or more cumulative calendar days of filled opioid prescriptions, or 10 or more prescriptions filled in the prior year. Each surgical patient was matched based on age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, and daily preoperative opioid dose to three non-surgical patients who were also chronic opioid users. The primary outcome was time to opioid discontinuation. RESULTS The cohort included 4755 surgical and 14 265 matched non-surgical patients. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities, surgery was associated with an increased likelihood of opioid discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27, 1.42). Among surgical patients, factors associated with a reduced odds of discontinuation included a mean preoperative opioid dose above 90 morphine milligram equivalents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.49) or filling a prescription for oxycodone (aOR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.98). Receipt of an in-patient Acute Pain Service consultation (aOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.69) or residing in the highest neighbourhood income quintile (aOR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.79) were associated with a greater odds of opioid discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS For chronic opioid users, surgery was associated with an increased likelihood of discontinuation of opioids in the following year compared with non-surgical chronic opioid users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naheed K Jivraj
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Damon C Scales
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Andrea Hill
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ruxandra Pinto
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Duminda N Wijeysundera
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Anaesthesia and Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hannah Wunsch
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
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18
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Mark TL, Parish W. Opioid medication discontinuation and risk of adverse opioid-related health care events. J Subst Abuse Treat 2019; 103:58-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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19
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DiBenedetto DJ, Wawrzyniak KM, Schatman ME, Shapiro H, Kulich RJ. Increased frequency of urine drug testing in chronic opioid therapy: rationale for strategies for enhancing patient adherence and safety. J Pain Res 2019; 12:2239-2246. [PMID: 31413622 PMCID: PMC6661994 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s213536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the average amount of time required to detect opioid aberrancy based upon varying frequencies of urine drug testing (UDT) in a community-based, tertiary care pain management center. SUBJECTS This study was a retrospective analysis of 513 consecutive patients enrolled in a medication management program, receiving chronic opioid therapy between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. METHODS Data were extracted from medical records including age at start of the study period, sex, ethnicity, marital status, and smoking status. UDT was performed at each prescribing visit via semi-quantitative immunoassay, and at the discretion of the clinician, a sample was sent for external confirmation using gas chromatography or mass spectrometry testing to clarify questions of inconsistency with patients' reports or prescribed medications. For purposes of the study, "opioid aberrancy" was defined through inconsistent UDT. RESULTS One hundred and fifteen patients (22.4%) had at least one inconsistent UDT during the study period, and 160 (2.8%) of all UDTs were inconsistent. At this rate of inconsistency, it was determined that with monthly screening, it would require up to 36 months to detect a single aberrancy, and semi-annual testing would require as long as 216 months to detect an aberrancy. CONCLUSIONS More frequent UDT can be helpful in terms of earlier detection of opioid aberrancy. This has significant implications for helping avoid misuse, overdose, and potential diversion. Furthermore, early detection will ideally result in earlier implementation of treatment of the emotional and behavioral factors causing aberrancy. Such early intervention is more likely to be successful in terms of reducing substance misuse in a chronic pain population, providing a higher degree of patient adherence and safety, as well as producing superior overall patient outcomes. Finally, economic benefits may include substantial savings through avoidance of the necessity for drug rehabilitation and the empirically established higher costs of treating opioid misuse comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J DiBenedetto
- Research and Network Development, Boston PainCare, Waltham, MA, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly M Wawrzyniak
- Research and Network Development, Boston PainCare, Waltham, MA, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael E Schatman
- Research and Network Development, Boston PainCare, Waltham, MA, USA
- Deparment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Shapiro
- Research and Network Development, Boston PainCare, Waltham, MA, USA
- Department of Biopsychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Ronald J Kulich
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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20
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Changes in pain intensity after discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain. Pain 2019; 159:2097-2104. [PMID: 29905648 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about changes in pain intensity that may occur after discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). The objective of this study was to characterize pain intensity after opioid discontinuation over 12 months. This retrospective U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data study identified N = 551 patients nationally who discontinued LTOT. Data over 24 months (12 months before and after discontinuation) were abstracted from VA administrative records. Random-effects regression analyses examined changes in 0 to 10 pain numeric rating scale scores over time, whereas growth mixture models delineated pain trajectory subgroups. Mean estimated pain at the time of opioid discontinuation was 4.9. Changes in pain after discontinuation were characterized by slight but statistically nonsignificant declines in pain intensity over 12 months after discontinuation (B = -0.20, P = 0.14). Follow-up growth mixture models identified 4 pain trajectory classes characterized by the following postdiscontinuation pain levels: no pain (average pain at discontinuation = 0.37), mild clinically significant pain (average pain = 3.90), moderate clinically significant pain (average pain = 6.33), and severe clinically significant pain (average pain = 8.23). Similar to the overall sample, pain trajectories in each of the 4 classes were characterized by slight reductions in pain over time, with patients in the mild and moderate pain trajectory categories experiencing the greatest pain reductions after discontinuation (B = -0.11, P = 0.05 and B = -0.11, P = 0.04, respectively). Pain intensity after discontinuation of LTOT does not, on average, worsen for patients and may slightly improve, particularly for patients with mild-to-moderate pain at the time of discontinuation. Clinicians should consider these findings when discussing risks of opioid therapy and potential benefits of opioid taper with patients.
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White R, Hayes C, Boyes AW, Chiu S, Paul CL. General practitioners and management of chronic noncancer pain: a cross-sectional survey of influences on opioid deprescribing. J Pain Res 2019; 12:467-475. [PMID: 30774416 PMCID: PMC6348964 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s168785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background General practitioners’ (GPs) views about deprescribing prescription opioid analgesics (POAs) may influence the care provided for patients experiencing chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). There are limited data addressing GPs’ beliefs about deprescribing, including their decisions to deprescribe different types of POAs. Aim To determine the proportion of GPs who hold attitudes congruent with local pain stewardship, describe their deprescribing decisions, and determine whether type of POA influences deprescribing. Design and setting In 2016, a cross-sectional survey of all GPs (n=1,570) in one mixed urban and regional primary health network (PHN) in Australia was undertaken. Methods A mailed self-report questionnaire assessed agreement with local guidelines for treating CNCP; influences on deprescribing POAs and likelihood of deprescribing in a hypothetical case involving either oral codeine or oxycodone. Results A response rate of 46% was achieved. Approximately half (54%) of GPs agreed POAs should be reserved for people with acute, cancer pain or palliative care and a third (32%) did not agree that a medication focus has limited benefits for peoples’ long-term quality of life and function. Most (77%) GPs were less likely to deprescribe when effective alternate treatments were lacking, while various patient factors (eg, fear of weaning) were reported to decrease the likelihood of deprescribing for 25% of GPs. A significantly higher proportion of GPs reported being very likely to deprescribe codeine compared to the equivalent opioid dose of oxycodone for a hypothetical patient. Conclusions Many GPs in the PHN hold attitudes at odds with local guidance that opioids are a nonsuperior treatment for CNCP. Attitudinal barriers to deprescribing include: a lack of consistent approach to deprescribing opioids as a class of drugs, perceived lack of effective treatment alternatives and patient fear of deprescribing. Therefore, the next step in this target population is to appropriately train and support GPs in how to apply the evidence in practice and how to support patients appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth White
- Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, .,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia,
| | - Chris Hayes
- Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia,
| | - Allison W Boyes
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Chiu
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine L Paul
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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22
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Wyse JJ, Morasco BJ, Dobscha SK, Demidenko MI, Meath THA, Lovejoy TI. Provider reasons for discontinuing long-term opioid therapy following aberrant urine drug tests differ based on the type of substance identified. J Opioid Manag 2018; 14:295-303. [PMID: 30234926 DOI: 10.5055/jom.2018.0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Urine drug testing (UDT) is increasingly performed as a means of identifying aberrant behavior that may be grounds for discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). Little is known, however, about the ways in which positive UDT results may differentially inform decisions to discontinue LTOT based on the type of substance for which the UDT screened positive. The aim of this study was to examine the likelihood of clinician-initiated discontinuation of LTOT attributed to positive UDT results across three discrete categories of substances: (1) cannabis, (2) alcohol or illicit substances (excluding cannabis), and (3) controlled prescription medications that were not prescribed. DESIGN This retrospective study utilized the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. Corporate Data Warehouse to assemble a sample of 600 patients with substance use disorders and matched controls who were discontinued from LTOT in 2012. Comprehensive manual medical record review identified UDT results in the year prior to discontinuation and reason(s) for discontinuation. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS Patients with one or more UDTs positive for a single substance (N = 185) comprised the study sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Likelihood of clinician-initiated discontinuation attributed to a positive UDT across the three categories. RESULTS Patients with one or more UDTs positive for cannabis were more likely to be discontinued from opioid therapy as a result of the positive UDT compared to those with one or more UDTs positive for nonprescribed prescription medication (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 18.05, 95% CI = 7.29-44.66). Similarly, patients with UDTs positive for alcohol or illicit substances were more likely to be discontinued for the positive UDTs relative to patients who tested positive for nonprescribed prescription medications (adjusted OR = 13.10, 95% CI = 4.81-35.68). No difference in UDT-related discontinuation decisions was evident between patients with UDTs positive for alcohol/illicit substances versus cannabis (adjusted OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.57-3.77). CONCLUSIONS High odds of UDT-related discontinuation were found in patients who tested positive for cannabis, alcohol, or illicit substances, relative to nonprescribed prescription medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Wyse
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon; Research Assistant Professor, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Benjamin J Morasco
- Core Investigator, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Steven K Dobscha
- Director, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon; Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Michael I Demidenko
- Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Thomas H A Meath
- Research Associate, Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Travis I Lovejoy
- Core Investigator, Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Lozier CC, Nugent SM, Smith NX, Yarborough BJ, Dobscha SK, Deyo RA, Morasco BJ. Correlates of Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Non-pharmacologic Strategies for Chronic Pain Among Patients Prescribed Long-term Opioid Therapy. J Gen Intern Med 2018; 33:46-53. [PMID: 29633138 PMCID: PMC5902344 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-018-4325-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Non-pharmacologic treatments (NPTs) are recommended for chronic pain. Information is limited on patient use or perceptions of NPTs. We examined the frequency and correlates of use and self-rated helpfulness of NPTs for chronic pain among patients who are prescribed long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). METHODS Participants (n = 517) with musculoskeletal pain who were prescribed LTOT were recruited from two integrated health systems. They rated the frequency and utility of six clinician-directed and five self-directed NPTs for chronic pain. We categorized NPT use at four levels based on number of interventions used and frequency of use (none, low, moderate, high). Analyses examined clinical and demographic factors that differed among groups for both clinician-directed and self-directed NPTs. RESULTS Seventy-one percent of participants reported use of any NPT for pain within the prior 6 months. NPTs were rated as being helpful by more than 50% of users for all treatments assessed (range 51-79%). High users of clinician-directed NPTs were younger than non-users or low-frequency users and had the most depressive symptoms. In both clinician-directed and self-directed categories, high NPT users had significantly higher pain disability compared to non-NPT users. No significant group differences were detected on other demographic or clinical variables. In multivariable analyses, clinician-directed NPT use was modestly associated with younger age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96-0.98) and higher pain disability (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.00-1.02). Variables associated with greater self-directed NPT use were some college education (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.13-2.84), college graduate or more (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.20-3.40), and higher pain disability (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.01-1.02). CONCLUSIONS NPT use was associated with higher pain disability and younger age for both clinician-directed and self-directed NPTs and higher education for self-directed NPTs. These strategies were rated as helpful by those that used them. These results can inform intervention implementation and be used to increase engagement in NPTs for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal C Lozier
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Shannon M Nugent
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ning X Smith
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Steven K Dobscha
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Richard A Deyo
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Benjamin J Morasco
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Clinician Referrals for Non-opioid Pain Care Following Discontinuation of Long-term Opioid Therapy Differ Based on Reasons for Discontinuation. J Gen Intern Med 2018; 33:24-30. [PMID: 29633130 PMCID: PMC5902348 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-018-4329-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about pain care offered to patients discontinued from long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) by their prescriber due to aberrant behaviors versus other reasons. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare rates of non-opioid analgesic pharmacotherapy initiation and clinician referrals for non-pharmacologic pain treatment, complementary and integrative pain therapies, and specialty mental health and substance use disorder treatment between patients discontinued from opioid therapy due to aberrant behaviors versus other reasons. DESIGN The design included retrospective manual electronic health record review and administrative data abstraction. PARTICIPANTS Patients were sampled from a national cohort of US Department of Veterans Affairs patients prescribed continuous opioid therapy in 2011 who subsequently discontinued opioid therapy in 2012. The study sample comprised 509 patients discontinued from LTOT by opioid-prescribing clinicians. MAIN MEASURES The primary independent variable was reason for discontinuation of LTOT (aberrant behaviors versus other reasons). Pain care dichotomous outcomes included clinician use of an opioid taper; initiating new non-opioid analgesic pharmacotherapy; and referrals for non-pharmacologic pain treatment, complementary and integrative pain therapies, and specialty mental health and substance use disorder treatment. KEY RESULTS We observed low rates of opioid taper (15% of patients), initiations of new or modifications of existing non-opioid analgesic pharmacotherapy (45% of patients), and clinician referrals for non-pharmacologic pain treatment (58% of patients) and complementary and integrative therapies (25% of patients). Patients discontinued due to aberrant behaviors, relative to patients discontinued for other reasons, were more likely to receive opioid tapers (adjusted OR = 5.60, 95% CI = 2.10-14.93), receive new non-opioid analgesic medications or dose changes to an existing non-opioid analgesic medications (adjusted OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.59-4.29), or be referred for specialty substance use disorder treatment (adjusted OR = 7.39, 95% CI = 3.76-14.53). CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the variability in referral rates for different types of non-opioid pain treatments and challenges accessing specific types of pain care.
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25
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Nugent SM, Dobscha SK, Morasco BJ, Demidenko MI, Meath THA, Frank JW, Lovejoy TI. Substance Use Disorder Treatment Following Clinician-Initiated Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Therapy Resulting from an Aberrant Urine Drug Test. J Gen Intern Med 2017; 32:1076-1082. [PMID: 28600754 PMCID: PMC5602757 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-017-4084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear whether substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is offered to, or utilized by, patients who are discontinued from long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) following aberrant urine drug tests (UDTs). OBJECTIVE To describe the proportion of patients who were referred to, and engaged in, SUD treatment following LTOT discontinuation and to examine differences in SUD treatment referral and engagement based on the substances that led to discontinuation. DESIGN From a sample of 600 patients selected from a national cohort of Veterans Health Administration patients who were discontinued from LTOT, we used manual chart review to identify 169 patients who were discontinued because of a UDT that was positive for alcohol, cannabis, or other illicit or non-prescribed controlled substances. MAIN MEASURES We extracted sociodemographic, clinical, and health care utilization data from patients' electronic medical records. KEY RESULTS Forty-three percent of patients (n = 73) received an SUD treatment referral following LTOT discontinuation and 20% (n = 34) engaged in a new episode of SUD treatment in the year following discontinuation. Logistic regression models controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables demonstrated that patients who tested positive for cannabis were less likely than patients who tested positive for non-cannabis substances to receive referrals for SUD treatment (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.23-0.84, p = 0.01) or engage in SUD treatment (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19-0.94, p = 0.04). Conversely, those who tested positive for cocaine were more likely to receive an SUD treatment referral (aOR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.57-7.06, p = 0.002) and engage in SUD treatment (aOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.00-5.96, p = 0.05) compared to those who did not have a cocaine-positive UDT. CONCLUSIONS There may be substance-specific differences in clinician referrals to, and patient engagement in, SUD treatment. This suggests a need for more standardized implementation of clinical guidelines that recommend SUD care, when appropriate, following LTOT discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Nugent
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- VA Portland Health Care System (R&D 66), 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Steven K Dobscha
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Benjamin J Morasco
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Michael I Demidenko
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Thomas H A Meath
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joseph W Frank
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, CO, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Travis I Lovejoy
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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26
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Demidenko MI, Dobscha SK, Morasco BJ, Meath THA, Ilgen MA, Lovejoy TI. Suicidal ideation and suicidal self-directed violence following clinician-initiated prescription opioid discontinuation among long-term opioid users. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2017; 47:29-35. [PMID: 28807135 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little is known about patient outcomes following discontinuation of opioid therapy, which may include suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal self-directed violence (SSV). The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of SI and non-fatal SSV in a sample of patients discontinued from long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). METHOD Five hundred-nine Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients whose clinicians discontinued them from LTOT were selected from a national cohort of VHA patients who discontinued opioids in 2012. The sample comprised patients with a substance use disorder and matched controls. Patient electronic health records were manually reviewed to identify discontinuation reasons and the presence of SI or SSV in the 12months following discontinuation. RESULTS Forty-seven patients (9.2%) had SI only, while 12 patients (2.4%) had SSV. In covariate-adjusted logistic regression models, mental health diagnoses associated with having SI/SSV included post-traumatic stress disorder (aOR=2.56, 95% CI=1.23-5.32) and psychotic disorders (aOR=3.19, 95% CI=1.14-8.89). Other medical comorbidities, substance use disorder and pain diagnoses, opioid dose, and benzodiazepine prescriptions were unrelated to SI/SSV. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with a substance use disorder and matched controls, there are high rates of SI/SSV following opioid discontinuation, suggesting that these "high risk" patients may require close monitoring and risk prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael I Demidenko
- VA Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D 66, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Steven K Dobscha
- VA Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D 66, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW U.S. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Benjamin J Morasco
- VA Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D 66, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW U.S. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Thomas H A Meath
- VA Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D 66, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code: MDYCHSE, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Mark A Ilgen
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, 2215 Fuller Road, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, SPC 5763 2700, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Travis I Lovejoy
- VA Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D 66, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW U.S. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States; School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW U.S. Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code: CB 669, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
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